Answering the question when it's asked by children

[Kizmet]

Would you kind and wonderful gents help me out a bit?

How would you respond to the various questions that you hear all the time if the questioner was a child? I've seen all the clever responses, but the vast majority of them aren't child-appropriate.

Is the answer different if it's a boy or girl?

(Let's define child as under 10 and not really aware of the vive-la-difference.)

Thanks for your help.

Kizmet

[mrpharr]

I'm not sure if I know what you are asking...Is it,"what's under the kilt?"

[Kizmet]

That would be the number 1 question, but also "Why are you wearing a skirt?"

[Caradoc]

That would be the number 1 question, but also "Why are you wearing a skirt?"

"Because if I didn't wear it, it might get lonely."

[Panache]

That would be the number 1 question, but also "Why are you wearing a skirt?"

"It is a type of skirt. This a traditional type of Scottish clothing that men wear. It is called a kilt. I have Scottish ancestry and am wearing it to honor my past".

I have had some pretty wonderful experiences talking with very young ladies (ages 4-7) about kilts. Especially the story of the origin of the kilt pin. If you are talking to young boys. Use the same explaination as above but throw in "the Scots were fierce warriors and carried many different kinds of swords and axes into battle". Guaranteed the conversation will veer toward a discourse on antique weapons, and the boys (bloodthirsty lads one and all) will be entertained.

Cheers

[motorman4life]

One day I was over at a buddy's place (on-duty, in uniform) watching baseball during my lunch break and some read-headed guy with a beard was on the screen. His young daughter (about 8 years old) looked at him and turned and said, "I can tell, that guy right there is Irish!" I laughed and said, "He is?" She replied, "Yeah, I can just tell by looking at him and it's not just the red hair either." I asked, "Okay, then what am I?" She walked around me pausing briefly and chirped, "Scottish!" I asked, "Are you sure?" She said, "Yup! ...well are you?" I said "Yup." She was taken aback and said, "Really, do you ever wear a kilt?" I replied, "Sure I do." She took on a really serious look and said, "Really?" I said, "Yes, I do." She said, "Next time you wear a kilt, I want to see it!" I said, "Okay." She paused and without missing a beat, she asked, "Um, you don't look like a clown in it, do you?" I repled, "Well, you'll have to tell me when you see it."

I had never given it much thought, but after an exchange like that with a 5th grader, I'm pretty confident most 8 year olds can grasp the concept!

[Moosehead]

Same can be said of some adults M4L. My 9 yr old Goddaughter is taking Highland dancing at school. Not a drop of Scots blood. For all intents and purposes, she's a full blooded Mi'kmaq Indian. Her Mom wasn't thrilled when I said I'd make her a kilt, but her Dad understood. He's a Mi'kmaq who grew up in Cape Breton. Guess its all about environment.

[Frank]

I have had some pretty wonderful experiences talking with very young ladies (ages 4-7) about kilts. Especially the story of the origin of the kilt pin. If you are talikng to young boys. Use the same explaination as above but throw in "the Scots were fierce warriors and carried many different kinds of swords and axes into battle". Guaranteed the conversation will veer toward a discourse on antique weapons, and the boys (bloodthirsty lads one and all) will be entertained. [/I]
Cheers

With the greatest of respect to Panache I think he's unwittingly hit on the reason why masuclinity is in some ways such an artificial and fragile 'operating system'. Whilst he had "some pretty wonderful times" talking with girls on the subject of kilts, he found it easier to juxtapose kilts with a context of war and death rather than with simple personal choice when discussing the same topic with the boys. Isn't it sad that even the very young have to be divorced from their sense of self to the extent that any justification for kilt wearing is necessary ?

That aside, it's just as as well for the drinks industry that the young aren't taught such paranoia about booze - can you imagine an online community of active whisky drinkers secretly enthusing about their 'utilitimalts' or having a dig about sub-standard Scotch bought from auction websites. On X Marks, postings headed:- "Great night out drinking whisky - and no sniggers !" or "Finanlly did it - just ordered a case of 80 proof" or perhaps - "Drinking Johnny Walker Black Label at work.." or "My Wife doesn't like me drinking Whisky" would compete with arguments about the traditional Scotch versus new Scotch cocktails with fizzy orange and suchlike.

Now wouldn't that be silly ?

[Moosehead]

All I would say is a simple "It really isn't a question you should ask someone". I know, pretty simple. It is, however, the same answer I give my 12 year-old when she asks me how much "pay" I get.

[porrick]

My son is six, and I have got accustomed to a lot of questions from other kids out and about, as well as taking him to/picking him up from kindergarten.

Young kids are often so much more logical than adults; for me it works great to simply tell them that "it is called a kilt" and "it is like a Scottish "bunad" (Norwegian for "national costume"). The kids here have an understanding of the concept, as some have a bunad/national costume themselves, as goes for a large number of especially mothers. The next time the kids see me they would comment on my kilt - or why I am not wearing it today

Keep it simple, and don't try to give wise-guy comments reserved for adults who should know better

BTW, here is a snap of the local "Nordlandsbunad", which in time and principle is a product of national romanticism and revival in much the same way as the modern kilt.



Check out the "sporran"...